The genus Moraea belongs to the Iridaceae family and is a close relative of the genus Iris. It is accepted that it evolved independently from Iris itself, which is restricted to the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, it is strictly an African genus extending from Nigeria and southern Ethiopia, into the African highlands down to the southern tip of Africa where winter rainfall is predominant. Many are indigenous to South Africa. It is in the winter rainfall area where one finds the highest concentration of Moraea species. They have long narrow basal leaves, sometimes only one per corm and large yellow, pink, orange, or bicolor flowers with six fairly equal tepals. The genus name is a tribute to the English botanist Robert Moore. Moraeas have iris-like flowers. They make good potted plants and are suitable rockery plants too. Most enjoy well-drained soil and full sun to flower best.

Moraea spathulata is a South African indigenous species from the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Western Cape Provinces where it can be found growing in open, moist montane grassland or forest margins. This is a wide spread species from across the eastern parts of South Africa, from George in the southern Cape to Limpopo, and extending northwards along the high-lying areas of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This evergreen, summer growing species grows from 50cm to 90cm tall. It is floriferous and bears yellow flowers with deep yellow nectar guides throughout the year. It grows well in large pots and in the garden.